Patch prize update: these are being finalized as we speak and will be en route to me soon, let’s say 7-10 days estimate. I’ll then be working with the Intern to package up the premiums and send them your way later this month. That’s the goal and we will send an update once the mailing goes out so stay tuned!
Hello readers and coffeeneurs! Finally, I’m at the point in the new year where my pen stops automatically writing 2025 and 2026 fluidly rolls out.
As the new year begins, I like to set aside time to consider intentions and plans for the new year.
In the last two years I engaged in little forward-looking planning due to life circumstances that interrupted my ability to see and think down the road.
But I’m bringing reflection and intention back in 2026 because doing so can be fun and it can also give life a bit of a focus. As part of that, I have been practicing a new-to-me exercise to help shape my year, calling it More Less 2026.
More Less 2026 is simple. It’s the act of pairing one feeling, action, or concept I want more present in my life with one that I could do to reduce or eliminate. This reflective activity founded on one of my favorite things (making lists!) has energized me as I move into this year.
The first More Less pairing I’m highlighting in 2026 is fellowship versus isolation.
Recently I’ve been time traveling myself back to 2020. Being told that gathering was a dangerous act was life altering.
Teams meetings and Zoom calls were plentiful, but seeing others in boxes as we rallied around work and even friendship was an unfun experience overall, and sometimes exacerbated my sense of isolation during that time.
In addition, during my recent professional transition over the last six months the importance of connecting with others was brought home once again. Completing applications at the dining room table and pressing send into what often seemed an impossible void was an extremely isolating experience.
Without sensemaking and shared moments in the company of others I can’t imagine how I would have made it through this experience as well as I did. It was still hard, but this fellowship helped me keep the faith.
In an unexpected gift of a twist, the Coffeeneuring Challenge has also become a vehicle for building fellowship in my life.
In the past few months, I connected and reconnected with coffeeneurs from D.C. and other parts.
I even intersected in completely happenstance ways with U.S. coffeeneurs in France this summer, and again with UK coffeeneurs at Peregrine here in D.C. over the holiday. What a thrill!
When planning coffeeneuring outings, I made a special point to coordinate with friends . Social coffeeneuring has been a highlight always, but especially this last year.
There’s nothing like being in the presence of other people.
A little solitude can rejuvenate, but isolation tears at the soul. Fellowship is fundamental to the good life. It sparks my energy and optimism. Pair real life connection with coffee and cake and life glitters.
I’m planning more outings this year with friends in mind. So if you’re in my contacts list, look out, I may be texting.
Here’s to more fellowship and less isolation in 2026, and let me know what’s on your own More Less list.
Chasing Mailboxes 